Wales lost 1-0 to Denmark in the Nations League after Rasmus Hojlund converted a 75th-minute penalty, with goalkeeper Danny Ward’s mistake proving decisive.
Ward gave possession away to Gustav Isaksen inside the Wales penalty area and then brought down the Denmark forward as he attempted to recover. Hojlund made no mistake from the spot to secure Denmark’s second victory over Wales in a week, following their 2-0 win in Copenhagen.
The result came three days after Wales had beaten World Cup quarter-finalists Norway, but Craig Bellamy’s side lacked the same energy in a match that was the fourth for both teams in 11 days.
Bellamy made just one change to the team that started against Norway, bringing Brennan Johnson into the attack in place of Daniel James. Denmark were without Mikkel Damsgaard, while captain Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg went off injured inside the opening 10 minutes.
Ethan Ampadu sent an effort over from 25 yards in his continued search for a first Wales goal, while Johnson volleyed wide at the far post. Denmark threatened more consistently, with Hojlund shooting tamely at Ward after Ben Cabango had been caught in possession.
Wales had 54 per cent of the first-half possession, but Denmark created the clearer chances. Isaksen went down under a challenge from Ben Davies while attempting to shoot, although the referee did not award a penalty.
Morten Hjulmand headed wide before Isaksen missed twice in quick succession, and Oliver Provstgaard also sent a header over. Wales reached half-time level but were increasingly under pressure.
Denmark continued to carry the greater threat after the restart. Andreas Skov Olsen found Hojlund with a cross from the right, but Ward produced an excellent save with his legs to keep out the forward’s sliding effort.
Ward then pushed an Isaksen header on to the post, giving Wales further relief. Johnson fired over at the other end, while Cabango collected his second yellow card of the competition and will miss Wales’ trip to Norway in November.
Bellamy introduced several substitutes in an attempt to raise the intensity, but Wales struggled to test a well-organised Denmark defence. The home side’s hopes of a first clean sheet since November disappeared when Ward’s error presented the visitors with their winning opportunity.
Wales move up to third in Group A4 after Norway’s defeat by Portugal, with Norway dropping to the bottom spot on head-to-head results.
Ben Davies proud despite Wales defeat
Ben Davies said Wales had given everything despite what he described as a disappointing result.
“I didn’t feel like there was a whole lot in the game, to be honest. It’s a tough way to concede and a disappointing loss,” the Wales defender told BBC Sport.
“We’d have loved to have had more (points) but when you’re playing against very good teams, strong opposition and the situation we’re in where we’re missing some key players, that’s football.
“We gave it our all and I’m very proud of the group. You can’t fault the effort that’s in this group, so we’re going to go into the next two games with nothing to lose.”
